Heating tool
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorsTom S. Chiang, Bruce B. Bacon, Frank S. Allen, Jahanzeb Tareen, Christopher L. Gravelle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one aspect, a heating tool includes a heat source having a discharge outlet; and a manifold including an intake conduit configured to releasably connect to the discharge outlet of the heat source and a chamber coupled to the intake conduit having a ventilation path. The chamber includes a diverging portion configured to provide uniform airflow through the ventilation path to provide heating to a surface. In an embodiment, the chamber has a first portion and a second portion configured for assembly and disassembly. A method of curing an aircraft component is provided.
Claims18
A heating tool comprising:
- a heat source having a discharge outlet;
- and
- a manifold including an intake conduit configured to releasably connect to the discharge outlet of the heat source and a chamber coupled to the intake conduit, the chamber having a ventilation path including a plurality of apertures, the plurality of apertures is located along an exterior, upper edge of the chamber opposite from the intake conduit;
- wherein the chamber includes a diverging portion configured to provide uniform airflow through the plurality of apertures to provide uniform airflow out of the exterior, upper edge of the heating tool to heat a curable surface.
A heating tool comprising:
- a heat source having a discharge outlet;
- a manifold including an intake conduit configured to releasably connect to the discharge outlet of the heat source and a chamber coupled to the intake conduit, the chamber having a ventilation path including a plurality of apertures, the ventilation path is configured to permit heated airflow through the plurality of apertures, out of the heating tool, and onto the curable surface;
- and
- an alignment member to align the plurality of apertures with a curable surface, the alignment member is a stand member including a base connected to the chamber to support the weight of at least a portion of the heating tool, the base further comprises a pair of legs extending from the base;
- wherein the chamber includes a diverging portion configured to provide uniform airflow through the plurality of apertures to provide uniform airflow out of the heating tool to heat a curable surface, the curable surface is a bondline of a composite article and the plurality of apertures substantially align with the bondline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.